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Cato Boston

Living in Woodstock, Windsor County, with 1791 census
listing of three other free persons.I
have not found him in any later census under the name Cato Boston or
Christopher Malbone (various spellings).

The History of
Woodstock, by Henry Swan Dana (1889), states that Cato was brought to
Woodstock from Middleborough, MA, by Dr. Stephen Powers, who had purchased him
as a boy in Middleborough.The Powers’
family came to Woodstock about 1774.

Folklore of
Springfield [Vermont], by Mary Eva Baker (1922), mentions that Stephen
Powers, a prominent lawyer, came to Woodstock, bringing with him his negro
slave boy, Cato Boston, aged 13 years.

The History of
Woodstock givesCato Boston’s
original name as either Christopher Molbone or Melbone, and also believes that
he was in the War of 1812.A
Christopher Mobbone, residence Hartland, enlisted in the Revolutionary War in
Capt. Benjamin’s Company in 1781.Ancestry.com lists a Chrisn Mobbone as being a drummer.Christopher Malbone (“a Black Man”) was warned
out of Rutland, 2 August 1803, Vermont
Warnings Out, Vol. 2, by Alden Rollins (1997).I have not found information to show he was in the War of 1812.

While living in Woodstock, Cato Boston was charged with
setting fire to the courthouse, but at the trial was found not guilty.

On 21 Sept. 1787, Cato Boston purchased 150 acres in
Strafford, Orange County from Anthony Dick for £300.He quitclaimed this property to John Alger of Strafford for £30
on 7 March 1788.He signed his name.